battery venting

[unterseeboot]

Should a 96 TI have a battery vent hose like the other cars? (With battery in trunk). I have seen pics both ways but wondered if they all came with them or if P/O just removed it. Thanks!

[tiFreak]

neither of mine have it, probably not something you would need

[pdxmotorhead]

If the battery has the vent fitting, I'd use it, but I usually run a long enough tube to make it so it does not drip on anything I care about. It does help keep the battery box area in better shape. If it does not have a fitting, there are special mats you can buy to put under a battery to soak up and neutralize any acid that drips.

Dave

[unterseeboot]

I just looked on real oem.com and according to the diagram we are supposed to have the vent hose. I had a major issue with the under seat mounted battery in my Audi Avant and ever since i take extreme precautions to keep them from gooing.....

Does anyone know if the dealer has sealed gel type
batteries available that fit in the oem location? I saw a thread on them for e39 cars.

[John Firestone]

BMW puts AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) batteries in their current models.

Their 70Ah model is sure to fit: that's what I have. It has a vent tube port, which I hooked up even though it should rarely if ever vent.

BMW uses many more of a 90 Ah model which may be too big for the battery tray. I'm sure my dealer has some around I can attack with a tape measure if you need some numbers.

[John Firestone]

A page with some BMW AGM battery part numbers (70, 80 and 90Ah).

[Danus ex]

I've also ordered parts for this after replacing the PO's Energizer battery. I'll follow up on its installation/utility. I figure that with MN's temperature extremes, this won't hurt to have.